Posts Tagged ‘fasting’

I’m dedicating March 11-17 to prayer and fasting so we can filter out distraction and seek God. God has some significant things up ahead. Let’s increase our Word intake and sensitize ourselves to the Holy Spirit so we’ll be ready to walk out His plan.

1. To Sow to the Spirit and Humble the Flesh.I humbled my soul with fasting. Psalm 35:13b

2. To Receive Direction.While they [the early church] were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3

3. To Obtain Breakthrough.Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

4. To Prepare for Action.Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 4:15-16

Approach fasting prayerfully. Don’t get legalistic. God may be calling you to fast just one meal. Daniel in the Bible fasted everything but vegetables (Daniel 1:12-18). Or you might fast media: King Darius fasted entertainment while Daniel was in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:18). Use wisdom; if you have blood sugar or medication issues, don’t just stop eating. The point is, ask God what kind of fast He is calling you to. As we jumpstart our year by fasting and seeking God, we will see breakthrough and we will receive direction.

While they [the early church] were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3

In the context of ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. That moment was a launching pad to the missionary journeys of the early church. Above all other positive aspects of fasting, I think hearing God’s voice and receiving direction are preeminent. We all need wisdom and direction, and fasting is a biblical way to seek God.

I’ve dedicated March 11-17 to fasting and prayer for St. Louis Family Church. We have some big things up ahead and we need to set some time aside, filter out distraction, and seek God. Fasting is one of the biblical ways to seek breakthrough. “Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6). In fasting, we can loose yokes and break sin patterns in our lives.

Fasting is sowing to your spirit. When you fast, you’re saying, “Flesh, you’re not the boss.” It humbles the soul (Psalm 35:13b) and addresses the pride we all think we don’t have. Paul wrote: “I discipline my body and make it my slave” (1 Corinthians 9:27a). Ninety-nine percent of my fasting isn’t all that exciting, but it sows seeds that may not be visible immediately and will yield amazing fruit. You may not sense the breakthrough at the time of your fast, but know that you will walk into blessing and clarity.

Then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday. And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:10b-11

Approach fasting prayerfully. Don’t get legalistic. God may be calling you to fast just one meal. Daniel in the Bible fasted everything but vegetables (Daniel 1:12-18). Or you might fast media: King Darius fasted entertainment while Daniel was in the lions’ den (Daniel 6:18). Use wisdom; if you have blood sugar or medication issues, don’t just stop eating. The point is, ask God what kind of fast He is calling you to. As we jumpstart our year by fasting and seeking God, we will see breakthrough and we will receive direction.

I’m excited to see what God will do!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

I’m dedicating the month of January to prayer and fasting as we seek God about the next steps for the church and our personal lives. God has some significant things up ahead. Let’s increase our Word intake and sensitize ourselves to the Holy Spirit so we’ll be ready to walk out His plan in 2010.

Here are the five points we are continuing to pray. They make a great New Year’s resolution list!

1. Pray for the removal of obstacles.
2. Pray for the increase of love.
3. Pray for personal growth.
4. Pray for the 100% will of God.
5. Pray with the end in mind.

Don’t let the devil steal your joy this New Year. If you’ve let your love toward God grow cold, meditate on God’s great love for you, on His promises for your life found in the Word. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8).